An exciting and action-packed social programme has been arranged for the PIXE2010 conference. The highlights are an all day trip to the historic naval dockyard at Portsmouth, and an evening banquet at the local stately home, Clandon Park.

Day Trip (Wednesday)
The city of Portsmouth has many attractions which make it an exciting destination for a day trip. Firstly, Portsmouth has a rich naval history, and is now home to three of the most important ships in British naval history; the Mary Rose, HMS Victory, and HMS Warrior.
We have organised a tour of the historic naval dockyard to entertain you, complete with lunch at a traditional English pub and a guided boat tour of Portsmouth harbour.

In the evening, there will be a reception and buffet in Portsmouth's famous Spinnaker Tower, the tallest building outside of London. Spinnaker tower was built just in time for the millennium (2005), and has fabulous 350 degree views of Portsmouth Harbour. With a little luck and good weather we will be able to enjoy the sunset from the viewing balcony of the Spinnaker Tower.

If your interests lie outside of the fascinating naval history on offer, the beautifully redeveloped Gunwharf Quays (near Spinnaker Tower) is excellent for shopping, and has numerous trendy and traditional restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, in a scenic location near the marina.

The Mary Rose was built 1511, she was one of the first ships able to fire a broadside, and was a firm favourite of King Henry VIII. After a long and successful career, she sank accidentally during an engagement with the French fleet in 1545.

HMS Victory, was made famous in the battle of Trafalgar (1805), where she was the flagship of Admiral Lord Nelson. The battle of Trafalgar was the most decisive British naval victory of the Napoleonic wars.

HMS Warrior, launched in 1860, was the pride of Queen Victoria’s fleet. Britain’s first iron-hulled, armoured warship, powered by steam and sail, she was the largest, fastest and most powerful ship of her day and had a profound effect on naval architecture.

Conference Banquet (Thursday)
The conference banquet will be held at Clandon Park. The Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni built Clandon Park in the Early 1730's for the 2nd Lord Onslow. The House has magnificent rooms including the two - storied Marble Hall, one of the finest examples in Europe.
A live band will perform after the banquet.